Elapsed Time (ET)

Elapsed time, or ET, is the main result in drag racing: the time from when the bike leaves the start beam to when it breaks the finish beam. Standard distances are the quarter mile (about 402 m) and the eighth mile (about 201 m).

ET is separate from reaction time – how quickly the rider launches after the green light. In bracket racing, riders predict their own ET (a “dial-in”) and the winner is the one who gets closest without going quicker.

ET depends mostly on a clean launch: clutch control, keeping the front down, tyre grip and smooth gear changes matter as much as engine power.